How much does an online store cost in 2026?
“How much does e-commerce development cost?" is the question we hear most often. Market answers range from a few hundred euros to tens of thousands — for the same project description. Here are the real price bands we apply to online store development, with transparency on platform choice, integrations, and what pushes the budget toward €3,000 or €60,000.
Price ranges: Shopify vs WooCommerce vs custom
The total range for a professional online store is €3,000 – €60,000 — based on projects we deliver. The spread comes almost entirely from platform, catalog complexity, and local integrations (shipping, invoicing, marketplace feeds).
| Platform | Development cost (EUR) | Delivery time | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shopify (premium theme + setup) | €3,000 – €10,000 | 3–6 weeks | New brand, under 500 SKUs, fast launch |
| WooCommerce (custom WordPress) | €5,000 – €18,000 | 4–8 weeks | Full control, SEO, integrated blog, EU markets |
| Custom (Next.js Commerce, headless) | €15,000 – €60,000 | 2–4 months | High volume, B2B, marketplace, max performance |
All prices exclude VAT. Shopify subscription (€29–€299/month), WooCommerce hosting (€20–€80/month), and payment transaction fees are separate.
What each price band includes
€3,000 – €8,000 — Basic Shopify or WooCommerce
Premium or semi-custom theme, up to 200 products imported, Stripe/PayU payments, 1–2 couriers, GDPR cookie consent, basic technical SEO. No ERP or automated invoicing integrations.
€8,000 – €20,000 — Professional store
Custom design, advanced filters, multi-courier with automatic AWB, customer accounts with order history, transactional emails, conversion optimization (checkout, abandoned cart). Suited for brands with existing traffic.
€20,000 – €60,000 — Advanced or custom e-commerce
Headless commerce (Next.js + Stripe), ERP integration, multi-vendor marketplace, recurring subscriptions, B2B with per-client pricing, real-time stock sync, sub-1s LCP performance.
What drives the cost up?
- Product catalog size — 50 SKUs vs 5,000 SKUs with complex attributes changes import and admin hours significantly.
- Local integrations — invoicing APIs, marketplace feeds, multiple couriers. Each integration adds €800–€3,000.
- Custom design vs template — a €180 Shopify theme + configuration cuts cost by 40%. Custom design improves conversion but increases budget.
- Multilingual and multi-currency — EN + local language + EUR/local currency means +25–40% over single-language.
- B2B features — per-client pricing, recurring orders, credit limits — moves the project into custom territory.
Recurring costs not shown in the quote
Development is a one-time payment. On top, budget for:
- Hosting + domain: €5–€80/month (Shopify includes hosting in subscription)
- Platform subscription: Shopify €29–€299/month; WooCommerce €0 license, but premium plugins €200–€600/year
- Payment fees: Stripe 1.4% + €0.25; local processors 1.5–2.5% per transaction
- Maintenance: €80–€250/month (updates, backup, minor changes)
Why do market prices vary so much?
Quotes from €500 and €40,000 for “an online store" aren't necessarily scams — they're different scopes hidden under the same label:
- Template without configuration — install a theme, add 10 products manually. Works for testing, not for business.
- No local integrations — quote excludes shipping, invoicing, or local payment gateways. You add them post-launch at extra cost.
- Offshore outsourcing — low price, difficult communication, zero post-launch support.
- “Complete store" without maintenance — at 6 months, WordPress plugins are outdated and checkout breaks.
How to evaluate an e-commerce quote
Before signing, ask for a detailed estimate that specifies:
- Chosen platform and why (not just “WordPress" — which theme, which plugins)
- How many products are included at import and who provides content
- Integrations: shipping, payments, invoicing, marketplace — included or extra?
- Who owns accounts (Shopify, hosting, domain, Stripe) at handover
- Post-launch maintenance: what's included in the first 3 months
Compare quotes on the same criteria. See our transparent pricing packages or request a personalized estimate.
Frequently asked questions about e-commerce cost
How much does an online store cost?
Between €3,000 and €60,000 depending on platform, catalog, and integrations. A standard Shopify store starts at €3,000; a custom headless store can reach €60,000.
Shopify or WooCommerce — which is cheaper?
Shopify has lower upfront cost (€3,000–€10,000) but a permanent monthly subscription. WooCommerce costs more at setup (€5,000–€18,000) but no platform subscription — only hosting and plugins.
How long does e-commerce development take?
Standard Shopify/WooCommerce: 4–8 weeks. Custom with ERP or marketplace integrations: 2–4 months.
What is included in the e-commerce development price?
Design, platform setup, catalog, payments, shipping, GDPR, basic SEO, and training. Hosting, domain, licenses, and maintenance are separate costs.
Conclusion
An online store in 2026 costs between €3,000 and €60,000 — there's no universal price, but there is a correct range for each business type. The choice between Shopify, WooCommerce, and custom depends on volume, integrations, and your 2–3 year growth plan.
If you're unsure about requirements, we schedule a 30-minute consultation to clarify platform, integrations, and cost estimates.